Samsung’s new mobile television technology: a road test

So I mentioned Samsung‘s new A-VSB mobile television technology in a previous CES post. I got a road test with it later in the afternoon Saturday and despite some technical difficulties, it delivered as promised.

The feed came from a local Las Vegas television station, which agreed to send a separate signal full of what appeared to be Chinese gymnastics and table tennis. See that’s the way it works. A local broadcaster can use Samsung’s new technology to section off a new stream of content that is expressly designed for mobile users. Mobile users can gather in the stream, which is expressely coded for transmission on their mobile phones or car-embedded televisions.

While other television viewers got their regular dose of television, I got plenty of Chinese gymnasts bounding about in clear defiance of established gravitatinonal laws. It didn’t have to be these channels, the station could have broadcast any kind of licensed content it chose.

The point is, the technology really allows you to watch television while on the move. Even while our test shuttle bus was whizzing by Las Vegas traffic, the signal came in strong. We had to endure a couple moments of pixelation while the receiver locked onto the signal. But compared to traditional receivers, which can’t operate in a moving vehicle, this was actually really cool.

The picture was smooth, even with the somersaults of the gymnasts. Everything came through very clearly.

The question came up: who would actually want this? With the relative low cost of installation for broadcaster, which might result in no fees for users, it might be a good compliment for all the DVD players in SUVs and minivans. I think that if all goes according to Samsung’s plans, there’s no reason that broadcasters won’t fall in line. The solution allows you to broadcast to mobile devices yet with minimal costs. It might be what makes mobile TV a reality for many viewers.